Driver Support Worker

Do you want a role where you're recognised for what you do, given the opportunity to thrive and have the chance to be the best version of yourself? Interested in joining a great organisation with an employee offer and an experience that rivals others? Are you looking for a new challenge in Adult Social Care? If so, please keep reading as you're just what we're looking for!

The team…

Our Enablement and Independence Services are key to supporting those who use our services to access educational and development opportunities.

The team consists of highly skilled staff who specialise in assisting people with Mental and Physical disabilities, to access activities which enabling them to achieve their personal goals and realise their full potential.

About the role….

In this role you will provide support to the Blaydon Resource Centre, which provides day support to adults with mental health issues and/or physical disabilities. The successful candidate will be required to demonstrate effective communication, partnership working, flexibility, reliability, motivation and have an empathetic approach to meeting individual's support needs and aspirations.

You will be required to safely transport service users to and from the services and access community opportunities by minibus or people carrier, taking into consideration Moving and Handling and maintaining vehicle care - as outlined in the Council's Driver Handbook.

You will also be involved with assistance, to support service users with their personal care and nutritional needs and to help them engage in therapeutic, social, educational and development related activities.

You will be working flexible hours when required, which may involve early mornings and evenings and undertaking any other duties which are appropriate to the grade of post.

It is essential that you have a full UK driving licence and are prepared to pass the local authority driver assessment.

People really are our greatest asset at Gateshead Council, and we value every employee. We encourage our people to think differently, do the right thing and be innovative.

A bit about Gateshead Council…

Adult Social Care is on the frontline of tackling the inequalities in poverty and health that our community face. Our Thrive Agenda aims to effectively address these issues to enable communities to live thriving lives. This means that everyone should have the opportunity to have purpose and meaning in their day-to-day life.

Working in Adult Social Care is not an easy job, however; there aren't many that are more fulfilling when you can see the impact that you are having on the lives of the members of our community who need support. We're truly committed to providing people who use Adult Services the highest quality of support and we need like-minded people who can help us deliver this. We need people who want to make a difference, who are talented, possess the right knowledge and skills and who want the chance to demonstrate how good they are. We offer a Strengths-Based Practice model, meaning we want to hear about your strengths, and will support you to develop these during your time with us.

What's in it for you? Well, there's so much on offer and here's just a few of the highlights!

You'll be paid a competitive salary starting on £24,702 rising to £25,979 pa plus additional allowances where relevant.
You'll get a generous annual leave package of 28 days annual leave for new employees, rising to 32 days after 5 years continuous local government service.
You will have the opportunity to purchase up 10 additional annual leave days per year in accordance with the councils 'Annual leave purchase scheme'.
You can save for your future by enrolling in our generous pension scheme.
You'll have access to great health and wellbeing support, including discounted membership to GO Gateshead Leisure Services and ability to use our cycle to work scheme.
We'll give you access to a Co Wheels vehicle for work use, saving on petrol costs and wear to your vehicle.
We'll give you the chance to take advantage of various offers and discounts on shopping and household spend, including O2, Virgin Media and Dell
Access to the Blue Light Card Scheme
A robust Workforce Development offer with loads of opportunities for learning to progress your career and to enhance your knowledge in specific areas.
Adult Social Care at Gateshead Council offers the chance to progress in a variety of roles across the service. Our colleagues had this to say:

"Gateshead Council are very, very good at encouraging staff to progress in their careers, and to believe in the staff and believe in themselves" - David

"I think there is a real ethos of growing your own and making sure that staff are rewarded for their efforts and feel that they can do jobs." - Angela